Your footwear is a crucial component of your hiking gear. Hiking boots are not one size fits all; choose the best hiking boot for your individual needs. There are many different types of hiking boots available on the market, so it can be difficult to find that perfect match. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you choose the right hiking boots for your next adventure.
Boot Types – From high-cut backpacking boots, to low-cut trail runners, there is a right shoe for every hiker.
Materials – Take a deeper dive into the materials that compose the uppers, midsoles, and outsoles.
What to Look For – Shoe weight, breathability, waterproofing, and stability are all factors to consider when searching for the perfect pair.
Boot Types
Hiking Boots – Mid cut to high cut boots are intended for day hikes or shorter, lightweight backpacking trips. They come in a variety of styles, but generally provide standard waterproofing and middle-range support and stability.
Hiking Shoes – Ankle cut or other low cut models are excellent for day hikes. These shoes are often flexible and provide less support than your standard hiking boot.
Trail Runners – Ankle cut trail runners provide excellent breathability and little break in, while keeping you fast on your feet. However, they lack major forms of support and durability, and will need to be replaced often.
Backcountry boots – These heavy duty, high cut boots are built to last. Backcountry boots are designed for treks in tactical terrain or multi-day, heavyweight backpacking trips.
Boot Materials
As the market shifts to look for the perfect median between breathability, support, weight, and waterproofing, knowing what materials your boots are composed of is crucial. The lightweight boot is becoming every hiker’s dream, but not without a cost: reducing weight often means limiting the number of durable, supportive, and waterproof materials that are in a boot. So, if you are looking for a boot that will get you through tactical terrain, creeks, or multi-day trips, a boot composed of heavy, durable materials is the way to go. The blog below outlines the different materials in a boot’s composition and highlights what materials may be weighing you down, or exactly what you’re looking for.
Uppers
The “uppers” of a hiking boot refers to the outermost materials on a hiking boot, connecting to the rubber outsole. The uppers constitute the largest sections of material on a boot, so these materials affect the weight of a boot more than any other area. Most hiking boot uppers are a mixture of mesh and leather. Backcountry boots will reign heavier on the leather side, while sneakers or trail runners will favor the polyester and nylon combination.
Leathers
Full grain leather and nubuck leather are durable, water resistant, and abrasion resistant. These heavyweight materials are commonly found in mid-range and high-range hiking boots and backpacking boots. Full grain leather is built tough and heavyweight, but packs a serious waterproofing punch. It is a staple for any backpacking boot.
Nubuck leather is buffed to offer a suede-like feel and is more flexible than traditional full-grain leather. It is a tougher material that will require a heavy break in period.
Split grain leather is another leather option. Take your full-grain leather, remove the tough outer portion, and add in some nylon or mesh for a great upper with incredible breathability. When paired with a synthetic upper and a waterproofing liner, split grain leather is great for cutting down weight and keeping you quick on your feet, while keeping those piggies dry.
Synthetics
Synthetic materials are being incorporated into modern boot composition more and more frequently. Among the most popular are polyester and nylon, which can be used on their own or sewn into a mesh material. Polyester and nylon are both lightweight, breathable fabrics that dry quickly and break in quickly. In addition to aiding with breathability, synthetics are great for keeping costs down. On the downside, these materials are cheap, meaning they will break down quicker and boots will need to be replaced more frequently. Synthetic materials are highly favored in trail runners or hiking sneakers, and help keep you quick on your feet.
Midsoles
The midsoles on your hiking footwear are essentially your shock absorbers. They are intended to protect you from impacts, or any sharp rocks and tree branches you may be trudging over. The midsoles are located between the insole of your boot and the outsole. This extra layer can be made of two different materials or a combination of both. Which material and the amount of it depends on how stiff or cushioning your boots are designed to be.
EVA
EVA, or ethylene vinyl acetate foam is the softer of these two midsole options. It is lightweight, cushioning, and it is relatively inexpensive. EVA foam can be used in different densities, allowing stiffer support where needed. Where EVA is used, it is common to see lighter densities in the midfoot and heavier densities around the heel and forefoot. As a cheaper midsole option, it comes to no surprise that it can break down quickly. EVA alone is found in most trail runners and is common in lighter hiking boots. It is rarely found in backpacking boots, or found in these boots in combination with PU.
PU
PU, or polyurethane foam is the stiffer of these two options. PU is known for its durability and ability to handle a heavy load. It is a heavier component that will add some weight and cost to your boot, but it is built to last and takes much longer to break down than EVA. PU and a stiffer midsole is necessary for those heavy, multi-day treks and ideal for hikers that prefer a stiffer composition in their boot. It is mostly found in backpacking boots or heavier hiking boots.
Outsoles
The outsoles of hiking boots are the tough bottoms made of rubber. This outsole upgrade from typical shoes provides traction and grip on those steep and slippery hills. There are not many outsole options to choose from outside of Vibram rubber, but some brands like Salomon and Oboz feature their own outsole technology. It is also common to see carbon and other materials added to rubber outsoles.
Vibram
Vibram outsole technology is a form of rubber designed to be treated to have different flexibility and hardiness. By treating this rubber with different chemicals, the composition of the rubber can be altered, changing how pliable the material is. This material is made to be fully customizable and tailored to each hiking boot’s purpose. Vibram dominates the outsole market as one of the most popular outsole technologies used in various boots and shoes.
Lug Patterns
The rubber soles on a hiking boot are molded into different patterns of bumps, or lugs, to provide extra traction while on the trails. Boots with large, deep lugs are intended to provide extra grip on those slickrock scrambles. Spaced out lugs, on the other hand, add serious traction and easily shed mud or dirt chunks. If you are a beginner hiker, the lug pattern will not make a huge difference in your experience.
What To Look For in a Hiking Boot
Weight
Hiking boot weights vary a lot with the materials composing the shoe. Mid-cut boots can be found as low as 1 pound or as high as over 3 pounds, while high-cut boots tend to fall into the higher weight range. A two-pound difference may not seem like much, but when you’re carrying that weight on your feet for miles at a time, it can make quite a difference. The heavier the boot, the more energy you’ll expend on each step. The weight can also have an impact on the boot’s performance and correlates to the boot’s function.
Heavier boots are designed for high-impact, high-traction, and high-load adventures. The increased support and stability comes with a cost: thick upper materials generally will decrease breathability and these boots will require a thorough break-in. But, they are built tough and will last for years of backpacking expeditions. A heavier boot is an ideal option for those multi-day backpacking trips or long treks through tactical terrain.
Lighter boots are intended for day hikes or shorter backpacking trips. They typically provide less stability and support, durability, and protection. A light boot generally will need to be replaced more often. On the flip side, lightweight boots will be more comfortable right out of the box and will allow a quicker break-in period. Lightweight boots are a great option for thru-hikers and those carrying lighter loads, or those who do not find themselves on the trails as frequently as they would like to.
Breathability
The breathability of a hiking boot is an important item to consider when shopping for summer boots. A good hiking boot will have a number of features that work together to keep your feet cool and comfortable during even the hottest days on the trail, while holding warmth during the coolest days of the winter.
The type of hiking footwear with the highest breathability will be your trail runners. The reason these trail runners are so breathable is because they often lack a form of waterproofing material. This allows your feet to more easily release heat and perspiration while you hike. While they might not be the best choice for every hiker, they can be a great option if you know you’ll be hiking in hot weather.
Heavier boots with uppers composed of gore-tex or leather tend to be the least breathable. These materials work to keep water out, but they also trap heat and perspiration inside the boot.
Finding the middle balance between waterproofing and breathability is a must for those in damper climates. Hikers in drier, warmer climates may opt to forgo any heavier, or waterproofing, materials and take advantage of the increased breathability.
Waterproofing
Waterproofing materials are common among most hiking boots on the market. The most common waterproofing materials are Gore-Tex and eVent. Gore-Tex is a synthetic, porous material that is laminated to the boot’s outer layer. It is highly effective at preventing any liquid or moisture from entering internal layers of a boot. eVent is a porous, waterproofing fabric designed to restrict water from entering the boot while allowing water vapor from sweat to escape. There are also waterproofing sprays that can be applied to the boot’s exterior, without adding much weight. While great when in a pinch, these options can be less effective than a true waterproof hiking boot.
Any form of waterproofing helps to keep your feet dry and comfortable during strenuous activity. It is important to consider what conditions you hike in when selecting the right waterproofing for your needs. If you frequently find yourself in wet conditions, a Gore-Tex or eVent boot may be the best option for you. If you stick to desert hikes, ditching the waterproofing may be the way to go.
Stability and support
The stability and support of a hiking boot is important for any hiker, but higher stability can be especially critical for those carrying heavy loads or exploring technical terrain. Longer, heavier hikes will require a boot with added ankle and foot support. These boots may feature an internal shank, a stiff sole, or a supportive plate, and will definitely add some weight to your load.
For hikers that commonly explore flat or novice trails, those that want to move fast through their hike, or for quick day hikes, we recommend a lighter, flexible boot. Ditching the heavyweight materials for foot protection and support is an easy parting when high stability is not necessary.
There are many different aspects to consider when purchasing the right hiking boot. By taking into account the type of terrain you’ll be hiking, the climate conditions, and your personal preferences, you can narrow down your choices and find the perfect boot for your needs. With so many different options on the market, there’s sure to be a boot out there that’s perfect for you. So get out there and start exploring!
Always leave no trace!